Nike Vaporfly v4 vs Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
| Nike Vaporfly v4 | Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 36.0 / 30.0 mm | 39.0 / 33.0 mm |
| Drop | 6.0 mm | 6.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 5.9 oz (167g) | 7.1 oz (201g) |
| Midsole | ZoomX (PEBA) | Lightstrike Pro (PEBA) |
| Plate | Full-length carbon fiber Flyplate (curved) | Full-length carbon Energy Rods 2.0 |
| Upper | Racing engineered mesh | Engineered mesh (Micro Fit one-way stretch) |
| MSRP | $240.00 | $220.00 |
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Nike Vaporfly v4
A radically lighter, snappier return to the original Vaporfly's aggressive racing DNA, best suited for 5K through half marathon but no longer a reliable marathon pick; reviewers praise the direct ride and ground feel but flag a narrow platform and reduced cushion for longer distances.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4
A soft, bouncy marathon racer that prioritizes cushioning and propulsion over snappiness, earning praise for its durable outsole and versatility across distances—though the toe box runs narrow and requires sizing up a half size, and the foam softens noticeably after 100 miles.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Better value, more durable, more versatile use case at a discount
Adios Pro 4 wins this round — softer, wider, more cushioned and a true marathon shoe at GBP 20 less; better for heavier runners.
Vaporfly 4 is more controlled, smoother and more natural; Pro 4 is more bounding/wild
Pro 4 is more swayed toward marathon distance; Vaporfly 4 is more nimble, lightweight, and agile, better suited to half marathon and shorter
Vaporfly 4 is not as springy but more controlled, more natural, less unstable
Vaporfly 4 takes a more direct, lower-stack path versus the bigger super shoes like the Adios Pro 4
Comparable weight (Evo only slightly lighter at Thomas's size 10.5) but Evo costs $500 vs $260
Lighter, lower stack, more ground feel and snap, but less bounce and midsole — better for shorter distances
Adios Pro 4 is 20 quid cheaper
Pro 4 is heavier (237g vs 210g) but cheaper, has rods rather than a plate, a more aggressive rocker, softer foam, wider platform and is more stable and protective for the half/full marathon
More cushion, more bounce, more midsole; better suited for marathon distance
Adios Pro 4 wins — wider forefoot/heel, much softer foam, better outsole durability, and a clear marathon shoe; cheaper by GBP 20.
Pro 4 is significantly lower priced at 220 quid
Nike Vaporfly v4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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#4 carbon racer. Brings Vaporfly closer to Alphafly aesthetic — execution issues but still fun at fast paces. Extremely lightweight.
In their words: "still very fun for running very fast" · "extremely lightweight shoe" · "execution issues going on with this shoe"
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Didn't make top 5. Lower stack, not as cushioned, narrow. More a 10K/half shoe than a marathon racer. More a competitor to the Takumi Sen 11 than to top-tier carbons.
In their words: "not in the same league" · "still very narrow" · "Quite a costly shoe"
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A solid but limited race shoe that feels light and quick at shorter distances but lacks the midsole and bounce for longer races, especially the marathon.
Ride:Lighter and closer to the ground than Vaporfly 3 with snappy, responsive ride and reliable landings; lacks midsole bounce and feels limited at longer distances; works well for shorter, faster efforts.
Fit:Roomier than expected for such a lean, small-looking shoe with plenty of space for the big toe; race-hugging without feeling cramped, with some heel slipping fixable with attentive lacing; stay true to size.
In their words: "designed for shorter distances" · "doesn't have enough midsole for me" · "a half marathon sweet spot"
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Not a flop — still a top-tier super shoe, but Nike has narrowed its purpose to 5K and 10K racing, making it less versatile than prior Vaporflies and a poor pick for half marathon or marathon distances.
Ride:Lightest Vaporfly yet, makes 5K pace feel smooth and efficient; ZoomX shows quick compression where the foot lands
Fit:Best-fitting Vaporfly to date with a slightly more narrow forefoot, traditional tongue and a secure spike-like lockdown; no heel slipping for Ben
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Both reviewers rated the Adios Pro 4 as an excellent carbon racer that is softer and cushier than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, with a more protective heel landing. However, both preferred the ASICS for its lighter weight, poppier forefoot, and faster overall feel. The Adios Pro 4 is a strong value pick, especially at its lower price point.
Ride:Updated Lightstrike Pro foam is softer and bouncier than the Pro 3, providing a cushier, more protective feel especially at the heel. Sharp rocker geometry delivers fast transition. Good energy return and springiness with no signs of foam degradation. Slightly more stable heel landing than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The medial cutout may cause some instability concerns at slower paces. One reviewer noted it is improved over the Pro 3 but that the added softness comes with a slight stability trade-off.
Fit:Runs short — both reviewers recommend going up half a size. The upper design has a lip near the toes that can catch toenails. Even accounting for US/UK size differences, it feels smaller than other Adidas shoes in the same size. Check centimeter sizing carefully. Rest of the fit around heel and midfoot is comfortable and secure.
In their words: "a little bit softer" · "more comfortable for me and less aggressive" · "a great carbon shoe"
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BITR's preferred Adidas race shoe — beats the Pro Evo 2 at half the price.
Ride:First Adios Pro where BITR likes the foam — v3 was too dense and firm. Lighter and more responsive in v4 with a propulsive feel and distinct pop off the toe. Traction is fine on dry pavement. Knocks out the NB SC Elite V5 in Megan's bracket.
In their words: "almost feels blocky under foot" · "feels like slappy almost" · "more of a propulsive feeling"
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A light, soft and durable-outsoled racer that's aging well on price but suffers from a very soft ride, broken-rods durability issues, and an unstructured upper that makes it less reliable than the Pro 5 for marathons when form breaks down.
Ride:Softer than the Endorphin Pro 5 and dulls quicker over time. Outsole is insanely durable, among the best in the comparison, with versatility despite minimal ridges. Foam softness caused the reviewer knee trouble around the 15-16 mile mark. Plagued by broken energy rods, likely because the softer Lightstrike Pro allows the rods too much movement.
Fit:Minimal upper that lacks structure; some runners recommend sizing up half a size because the foot slides forward in the shoe, which can cause toe problems on a marathon.
In their words: "insanely durable" · "minimal, but it does lack structure" · "a bit of knee trouble"
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Ben's marathon pick. Prioritizes cushioning over snappiness.
Ride:Much softer than Pro 3 but plenty of cushion still. Carbon rods (not a plate) run under metatarsals, providing a softer ride ideal for the marathon distance. 200g men's 9 — heavier than his 5K/10K picks but weight matters less over 26.2. Ben ran 2:24 marathon PBs in both Pro 3 (Boston) and v4-style shoe (Valencia 2024). Very soft — ran 14:46 5K in it but felt it sink too much at that pace.
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Nike Vaporfly v4 if
- Shorter road racing (5K-10K) for runners whose feet fit the snugger upper — Doctors of Running
- Half marathon and below race day for efficient forefoot strikers willing to go all-out. — FORDY RUNS
- Short-distance races and turn-heavy courses — Believe in the Run
- 5K and 10K racing for runners wanting a light, direct, snappy carbon racer — Ben Is Running
- Short-distance racing up to 10K, or up to half marathon for more seasoned runners wanting minimal cushion — The Run Testers
- 10K to half marathon racing, track miles, shorter fast efforts — The Run Testers
Consider the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 if
- Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros. — Kofuzi
- Faster runners with long strides who can open up hips and toe off hard; workouts and race paces at 5K-marathon effort — Doctors of Running
- Runners targeting marathon or longer who want cushioned protection and are comfortable with the fit; recommended for those running slower than sub-3 marathon pace — The Run Testers
- Racers who want a soft, light shoe at a discounted price — EDDBUD
- Carbon-plated racing across multiple distances from 5K to marathon, especially for runners who want bounce and energy return — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a brilliant, versatile race shoe across common distances and prioritize value; those who prefer wider fit — EDDBUD